Ohio State walked into the first days of camp with one offensive line picture in mind, then immediately started drawing over it.
After practice opened, the Buckeyes had Austin Siereveld at right guard and Ian Moore at left tackle - the alignment most people expected to carry over from spring. Moore had turned in a strong spring and made a real push for that job, which is why that grouping looked like the early answer.
But Ryan Day said at Big Ten Media Day that he wanted the offensive line settled by the eighth, ninth, or 10th day of practice. On day two, Ohio State already shifted course, a clear sign that this group is still being sorted out.
The new look had Siereveld back at left tackle and Joshua Padilla at right guard. Siereveld started every game last season at left tackle after splitting time at left guard and right guard in 2024, and he was solid there for much of the year.
Missing the spring game, though, seems to have opened the door for another move inside. If Siereveld ends up at guard, Moore would be the likely left tackle - but that’s not settled yet.
Padilla also has a case. He had a strong spring and had been pressing Tegra Tshabola for the right guard job late last season before an injury interrupted that push.
The rest of the line is more straightforward. Luke Montgomery is set at left guard, Carson Hinzman is the center, and Phillip Daniels is the right tackle for now. Daniels had some rough moments against Indiana and Miami last season, but he still appears to be the Week 1 starter on the edge.
So the real fight is down to two spots: left tackle and right guard. Those are the jobs that have to get sorted early in fall camp, because Ohio State can’t properly evaluate the offense until the line is locked in. Julian Sayin and the receivers won’t be judged fairly until the protection in front of them is stable.
That matters because the Buckeyes already know how ugly things can get when the line doesn’t hold up. In the postseason, the offense turned into a turnstile, and Ohio State ended up falling short of a second straight national title. Sayin was sacked 10 times in the final two games, and that kept him from getting the ball to receivers who were open downfield.
That’s why this position group may end up deciding the whole season. Better play up front could be the difference between another championship run and an early exit.
Tyler Bowen’s coaching will be under the microscope, too. He’s shown he can recruit, but the bigger question is whether he can develop linemen.
Ohio State won’t have to wait long for an answer. Week 2 in Austin will tell the Buckeyes plenty about whether they found the right combination, or whether the line needs another reset. From there, the challenge is simple enough to say and hard enough to pull off: keep the group playing well through the grind of a brutal road to the College Football Playoff.
In Other News...
Ohio States 2028 Recruiting Run Might Not Be Done Yet
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Two of the most intriguing names still watching closely are wide receiver Braylon Clark and defensive lineman Tyzon Swann, both of whom have drawn strong interest from Ohio State while also holding multiple offers from other programs. Their level of attention around the Buckeyes suggests the class could get even more impressive, but for now Ohio State is still in the waiting game as the next decisions loom. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Just Made A Huge Statement About Its QB Future
Ohio State added a major piece to its future on the recruiting trail with the commitment of Christopher Vargas, the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the 2028 class. Vargas picked the Buckeyes over Oregon, Virginia Tech and other schools, a significant win for a program that has long sold itself as one of the sports premier destinations for elite passers.
Vargas pointed to the coaching staff, the culture and the development opportunities under Ryan Day as the biggest factors in his decision, and that makes this more than just another early pledge. Day has built a strong reputation for grooming quarterbacks, with several of his former players going on to become first-round NFL draft picks, and landing a talent like Vargas only reinforces how powerful that pitch has become in Columbus. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Fall Camp Is Heating Up Behind Two Key Starters
Fall camp is starting to sort out a few of Ohio States early depth-chart questions as the Buckeyes turn toward their opener against Ball State. At running back, Isaiah West and Bo Jackson both entered camp after missing spring work because of shoulder injuries, and the early reps have been a good sign that both are back in the mix as the staff evaluates the room.
Wests offseason has given him a real foothold, while Jackson still has time to make up ground before the job is settled. The same kind of competition is playing out at receiver, where Jeremiah Smith looks lined up for the top spot and the battle for No. 2 is taking shape among Brandon Inniss, Chris Henry Jr. and transfer McCuin. [Read more 🡒]